All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Servants and Messenger.

Respected Servants of Allah! Today, in my Sermon, I want to address a common problem that the Ummah nowadays faces. It is called sectarianism and disunity. The Muslim Ummah is besieged with increasing problems. And this predicament is not unconnected with the way it ignores the honourable and true message brought by the Noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) especially as it relates to unity. This no doubt is the root cause of all humiliations it experiences in different parts of the world such as Nigeria, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, Myanmar/Burma, Central African Republic, in the west and a host of others.

Generally speaking, unity is an unavoidable measure for the development and for the attainment of one’s needs. It is on the basis of unity the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), ECOMOG, G8 and lots of others were established. Then why should the Muslims divide? No doubt, all persecutions, humiliations, disgrace and extreme poverty befalling the Ummah are nothing but resultant effects of its division.

Unity is the central focus and one of the wisdom in legislating Ramadan fasting with greater emphasis on the need for all Muslims to be united and shun all trivial issues that tend to divide them. Despite its numeric strength and bountiful resources, the Ummah has become the laughing stock of its detractors due to divisions and enmity spread by its detractors and their stooges from within! Allah says:

“Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought, and for many of them He grants forgiveness.” [Qur’an, 26:31]

In a Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) has said:

“No community differed after (the demise of) their Prophet except that the people of their falsehood gained mastery over the people of their truth.”

The growing disunity is therefore detested and it is important for the Ummah to address this most lingering problem. On the need for the Ummah to remain unconditionally united, Allah has clearly warned:

“Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving clear signs; for them is a clear chastisement.” [Qur’an, 3:105]

All Muslims should make it their point of duty to heed such exhortation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters! Modern-day violence among sects of Islam often spring primarily from political, not religious motives. The Qur’an is very clear in its guidance to Muslims that it is wrong to divide into sects or groups and fight one another. Allah the Almighty said:

“As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you (Muhammad) have no part of them in the least. Their affair is with Allah; He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” [Qur’an, 6:159]

And He said:

“Surely, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher, therefore serve me and no other. But they broke their religion into sects among them; yet they will all return to Us.” [Qur’an, 21:92-93]

And He the Most High said:

“And surely this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher, therefore fear Me and no other. But people have broken their religion into sects, each group rejoicing in that which is with them. But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.” [Qur’an, 23:52-54]

And He the Almighty said:

“Turn back in repentance to Him, and fear Him. Establish regular prayers, and be not among those who ascribe partners to Allah – those who split up their religion, and become mere sects, each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!” [Qur’an, 30:31-32]

And He said:

“The believers are but a single Brotherhood. So make peace and reconciliation between your two contending brothers, and observe your duty to Allah, that you may receive mercy.” [Qur’an, 49:10-11]

Dear Servants of Allah! The Qur’an is clear in its condemnation of sectarian violence, and also speaks against terrorism and the harming of innocent people. In addition to the guidance of the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also warned his followers about breaking into groups or sects and fighting one another.

On one occasion, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) drew a line in the sand and told his Companions that this line is the Straight Path. He then drew additional lines, coming off the main line like branches springing from a tree. He told them that each diverted path had a shaytan (satan) along it, calling people to misguidance.

In another narration, it is said that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) told his followers:

“Beware! The People of the Book were split up into seventy-two sects, and this community (Ummah) will be split into seventy-three. Seventy-two of them will go to Hell, and one of them will go to Paradise, the majority group (The Jama’ah).”

My People! One of the paths to unbelief is to go around calling other Muslim “kafir” (unbeliever), something that people unfortunately do when they divide into sects and groups. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said that anyone who calls another brother an unbeliever, is either telling the truth or is himself an unbeliever for making the accusation. Since we don’t know which Muslims are actually on the Straight Path, that is only for Allah to judge, we must not put such divisions amongst ourselves.

– Let’s ask ourselves now. What is sectarianism?

Dear Brothers and Sisters! Muslim sectarianism has many forms, many categories, numerous tentacles and many manifestations. Some extremely harmful, and some not as harmful. It reveals itself in varying ways according to time, place, people and sub-ideology. Some Muslim sects are relatively new and some are hundreds of years old. Some sects are built around individuals and some are built around ideas or supplemental philosophies. Some are hyper cultish with elaborate rituals and liturgical nuance, and some are very simple. Some sects require initiation, some don’t. Some sects are descriptive but not necessarily sectarian and some sects are sectarian at their core but vague in their description. Some are both. Some sects are local, regional and some are international. Some are all over the place and change with the changing of the times. So let’s first take a look at the meaning of the word:

Sect: According to the New Shorter Oxford Dictionary; Is a body or group of people subscribing to views that are divergent from other people of the same religion.

Sectary: a person who is zealous in the cause of his sect or his group.

Sectarian: According to Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, sectarian (adjective) characteristic of a sect. Also, having limited character or scope. (noun) adherent of a sect., narrow, bigoted.

Sectarianise: is to make sectarian

According to Wikipedia, sectarianism is: a form of bigotry, discrimination, or hatred arising from attaching relations of inferiority and superiority to differences between subdivisions within a group. Common examples are denominations of a religion, ethnic identity, class, or region for citizens of a state and factions of a political movement.

That’s on the English side. However, we need to look at the Arabic side of the meaning of sectarianism because our primary scriptures are in Arabic, and the foundations of codified traditional knowledge in Islam are in Arabic. Thus, In the Arabic language, there are several words and phrases in the Qur’an that are used to denote sectarianism; for example; hizb (ﺣﺰﺏ), as in the verse:

“And surely this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, therefore be careful (of your duty) to Me. But they cut off their religion among themselves into sects, each part (hizbin) rejoicing in that which is with them.” [Qur’an, 23:52-53]

Hizb however, could also simply mean a group of people; as in the verse:

“And when the true believers saw the clans (ahzaab), (confederate forces) they said: This is that which Allah and His messenger promised us. Allah and His messenger are true. It did but confirm them in their faith and resignation.” [Quran, 33:22]

In modern-day parlance, some groups use the word hizbee as a pejorative term meaning someone who is a sectarianist, or a party loyalist as in political party, or a specific Muslim group, representative of a specific ideology.

Another word used to describe sect in the Qur’an is shi’ite. I’m not talking about Shiite people here, I’m talking about the word shi’ite, as in the verse:

“Surely they who divided their religion into parts and became sects (shiya’an), you have no concern with them; their affair is only with Allah, then He will inform them of what they did.” [Qur’an, 6:159]

The above aforementioned verse is not referring to any particular sect; it’s talking about breaking into sects and sectarianism in general. However, this conversation is not about semantics, and every Muslim sect can present their arguments why they are not a sect, why they are not sectarian or why they are the saved sect, or the best sect of all.

Allah forbid the Prophet (Peace be upon him) from supporting sectarianism in our religion, and the Prophet forbade the people from arguing about doctrine. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“No people ever went astray, after they were guided, except that they were overcome by arguing.” [Collected by at-Tirmidhi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters! The general rule of Islam with regards to this harmful sectarianism is to avoid it. Allah the Almighty said:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” [Qur’an 3:103]

– The Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) view on sectarianism and it’s by products

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) outlined many of the principles of non-sectarianism throughout his life as well as during his farewell Sermon when he said:

“There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab nor for a non-Arab over an Arab except by piety.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

He (Peace be upon him) further elucidated the foundation for actionable non-sectarianism when he said:

“Verily your blood, your wealth, and your honour is sacred, like the sacredness of this day, of this month, and of the place.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

He cemented his disdain for sectarian practices when he said:

“Do not return after I’m gone to being like unbelievers, some of you striking the necks (fighting) of others.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Dear Servants of Allah! Sectarianism also has to do with abandoning the principles of Islamic brotherhood, disregarding the idea of racial equality, and lack of respect for the sanctity of life, honour and wealth as outlined by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in his farewell Sermon. Perhaps the most obvious and widespread manifestation of sectarianism is racism, but it is not the only manifestation of it.

Respected Servants of Allah! Muslim sectarianism has been around ever since shortly after the death of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). The Prophet warned us against it, the Qur’an warns us against it, and the Muslim world has suffered by it in the worse ways. The first social issue relating to sectarianism addressed by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was racism. He addressed it by freeing slaves and elevating the status of the ex-slave to that of an already free non-slave Arab. He reiterated this principle throughout his tenure as a Prophet of Allah. Even at the end of his life, he appointed Usama Ibn Zaid as a General and commander of the Muslim army who included Umar and Abu Bakr and Usama was barely eighteen years old.

Sectarianism brings out the very worst in the Ummah, from the wars between the Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), to the massacre of Muslims by other Muslims in so many countries, to the fratricidal warfare between Muslim groups throughout the ages, and even what we see today in many Muslim countries and now in Nigeria and elsewhere. Different groups calling the other unbelievers, Mosques being bombed, some Muslims protesting and causing untold hardships to the people. Violent extremism, petty Mosque politics, racism within the Ummah in many Muslim countries and even here in Nigeria. It can all be traced back to racism, sectarianism, disunity and the notion of the other.

Muslim Sectarianism in the Modern Sense

There are many faces of Muslim sectarianism. Sectarianism in the modern sense is the belief that your particular sect represents the whole of Islam, or that the addendums of faith, belief, and practice, representative of your sect, embodies the whole of Islam or the entirety of the message of Allah and His Prophet (Peace be upon him) whereas someone not subscribing to your additions, is considered less of a Muslim or even not a Muslim.

For example, if you believe that the Sheikh of your sect or the Amir or Chairman of your group is the only one that possesses true guidance of Islam and that believing in him and following him is necessary to obtain salvation, then you are sectarianized. If you believe that you must call yourself by the name of your sect, or your group in order to be rightly guided, then you have been sectarianized. If you believe that your brand of Islam is the only true brand of Islam in exclusion to all other brands of Islam, then you are sectarianised. If you cannot pray behind this or that person because they do not ascribe to your sect or group, then you are sectarianised.

Example of some types of sectarianism here in Nigeria are people who ascribe to the terms, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis-Sunnah (Both Kaduna and Jos factions), Sufi groups like Fityanul Islam, Ahbabu, Tijaniyyah order (with all it’s divisions), Qadiriyyah order (with all their factions), Naqshabandiyyah, Shadhiliyyah, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Muslim Ummah of South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN), Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), Muslim Professionals in Da’awah (MPD), Ahmadiyyah Muslim Jama’ah, Ansaruddeen society of Nigeria, Nawair’uddeen society of Nigeria, Ansarul Islam society of Nigeria, Anwarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Anwarul Islam Movement of Nigeria, Nasrul-lahil Fat-hi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Muslim Student’s Society of Nigeria (MSSN), National Council of Muslim Youth (NACOMYO), Young Muslim Brothers and Sisters, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Women in Da’awah, Jama’atu Tabligh, Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen, Ideal Islamic Youth Association of Nigeria, The Muslim Congress (TMC), The Young Muslims, Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN), Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), The Islamic Society for Calling and Guidance of Nigeria, The Muslim Forum, Mosques and Islamic Centres in Nigeria, Islamic Youth League of Nigeria, Federation of Muslim Medical Laboratory Science Students, Foundation for Islamic Awareness, Ebirra Muslims Association of Nigeria (EMAN), Hausa Muslims Ummah Association, Igbo Muslims Association, Yoruba Muslims Association, Da’awah Consultative Forum, Al-Fatihul Quareeb Islamic Society of Nigeria, Aqibat lil Muttaqeen Society of Nigeria, Jam’iyyatu Ansorul Faidoti Awliya of Nigeria, Ahbabu-Dinil Islami Society of Nigeria, Zumratul Islamiyyah Society of Nigeria, Shi’ah (with all their factions), Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Baha’iyyah, Ibahiyyah and Ikhwaniyyah, just to name a few from over 1000 Islamic groups operating here in Nigeria; if you consider calling yourself by these names as a religious obligation and that those who don’t ascribe to these names are less of a Muslim than you, or that you are a better Muslim than they are, simply because of the sectarian title, then this is sectarianism. If you as an adherent of a particular sect or group, believe that only people of that sect or group are rightly guided, then that is sectarianism. If you are a member of a Muslim ideological group and believe that your group represents the totality of Islam in exclusion of other groups then you are a sectarianist. If because of group or sub-ideological differences, you declare the other to be an unbeliever your calling yourself. One of the hallmarks of sectarianism is to direct anything ranging from simple disdain or hostility, or the grand charge of heresy towards the other group that is different from your sect.

Combating Sectarianism

Granted, combatting Muslim sectarianism is no simple proposition. People have to be unsectarianized. Sectarianism is taught, and it can be un-taught. There is a sectarian mindset, and there is an unsectarian mindset. It’s a monumental problem for converts because Muslim converts come into Islam pure of faith and are then taught sectarianism as they come along. Another problem is the colonial mental hold that the intellectual molestation that occurs through the multiplicity of different spheres of influence and teaching methodology thrust upon convert Muslims. This stuff didn’t happen overnight and it was very methodical, which on the one hand makes it a multi-layered problem but on the other hand makes it easy to trace how we got to this point, especially if you understand Muslim history. It is possible for a person to back his or her way out of sectarianism; it’s called deprogramming.

De-programming is not for everybody, but there are a lot of Muslims who do not want to be a part of a sect or any group, there are a lot who do not want to be racist, and there are many who do not want to be an extremist in their religion, and who do not want to be jumping from one sub-ideology of Islam to another, and who do not want, groupie-type Islam following someone who doesn’t have clue who you are. The problem is, not many Imams, or Islamic teachers are equipped to deal with this issue. Many Imams have no training whatsoever in the classical sciences of Islam which is problem also because you end up making stuff up, making up ideology, and things like that. That doesn’t help much either.

There is no one way to combat sectarianism since sectarianism and people who practice it or believe in it differ from time to time and from place to place. Fighting sectarianism is not so much as deconstructing every Muslim sect and polemicizing ideological arguments against it. It has more to do with promoting unity in spite of sectarianism and giving Muslims a clear choice on how not be stuck in a sectarian modality whereas you believe your sect offers the only path, or the best path to salvation. Unity is not for everyone; it’s for the people who want to be unified.

This is about the disruption of lives, the breaking of the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, about fratricide, incessant debates about micro-doctrine, splitting of communities, killing of Muslims around the world, arguing, fighting and fitnah in our Masaajid (Mosques).

I believe that there are Muslims out there who don’t want to sectarianize, who believe in what Allah says in the Qur’an, who believe in the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and what was reported from him according to authentic sources and believe that they will someday meet Allah, and want to meet Him as a Muslim, as Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jama’ah, and not as an adherent of any sub-sect of Islam. That is their choice and people should be made aware that there is such a choice.

There is a need to address the dangers and evil consequences of Muslim sectarianism in our country and everywhere in a peaceful, sane, healthy, and rational way. We have to create Muslim communities that are equally open to everyone; Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Ebirra, Igala, Kanuri, Nupe, Bassa, Okun, Kaje, Kurama, Arago, Eggon, Tiv, Idoma, Ogori, Birom, White, Black, Latino, Arab, Pakistani, Indian, Asian, African, low income, high income, educated and undereducated e.t.c. This is the real legacy of the great Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This is the picture of non-sectarian Islam, and this is the conversation that we are bringing to the forefront. If this Sermon makes sense to you and you support combating sectarianism, extremism and racism in our Ummah, then assist us, support us, help us and make a donation to our Mosque and Islamic center, so that our Da’awah will move smoothly.

Dear Brothers and Sisters! Know that the manifestations and implications of the approved way of life called Islam is extremely vast; where every major aspect of ones life from running educational institutions, to charity, to building orphanages, and Mosques, and hospitals, taking care of poor, needy and assisting the IDPs etc. have a role to perform and develop. There is absolutely no harm and no restriction if some Allah-fearing brothers and sisters wish to form an organization of like minded people focused in these and other noble causes for the development and endorsement of Muslims in particular and humanity in general. The building and operating of such noble and well-meaning organizations are absolutely encouraged in Islam and if done with the right intentions to help mankind and thus earn the Pleasure and Good Will of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, the people who initiate, develop, and operate such organizations will receive a huge reward from Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala on the Day of Resurrection.

The organizations, groups or sects that are specifically prohibited in Islam are the ones that break away from the Ummah of the Muslims and form their own set of religious principles and beliefs, and enlist followers who believe that only their particular chosen sect is on the Straight Path and every other believer is misguided or a disbeliever. These type of organizations, sects, and creeds which encourage and propagate moving away from the Muslim Ummah or moving away from the Muslim leaders, is what is absolutely prohibited in Islam.

Allah says in Chapter 45 Surah Al-Jathiyah verse 17:

“Then they differed amongst themselves after the knowledge (of Islam) had come to them, only because they wanted to wrong one another. Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning the matters in which they have been differing.”

“And you all belong to one and the same Ummah, and I (Allah) am your Lord; so fear Me Alone! Yet afterwards the people divided themselves into different sects, and each sect rejoicing in what it has. Well, leave them deeply involved in their heedlessness up to an appointed time.”

“There will befall my Ummah exactly (all those) evils which befell the people of Isra’il, so much so that even if there was one amongst them who openly committed fornication with his mother there will be among my Ummah one who will do that, and if the people of Isra’il were fragmented into seventy-two sects my Ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in Hell Fire except one sect. They (the Companions) said: O Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him), which is that? Whereupon he (Peace be upon him) said: It is one to which I and my Companions belong.”

But if one wishes to form an organization of like minded brothers and sisters focused on furthering and nurturing a particular aspect of the needs of the believers, like education, charity, religious teachings, helping the poor and needy, taking care of IDPs problems etc.; without any intention whatsoever to break away from the Muslim Ummah, without the intention to cause any fitnah, but rather with their noble works they wish to unite the Ummah; there is absolutely no harm and no restrictions in Islam in forming such good organisations. These noble brothers and sisters who work as a group to further the Cause of Allah will have a huge reward in the Presence of their Majestic Lord on the Day of Resurrection.

The Bad Effects Of Disunity In The Da’awah

Respected Servants of Allah! Unfortunately, we see nowadays many Muslim groups and sects working in Da’awah plagued with the diseases of enmity, hatred, division, disagreements, and discord, in total contrast to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. This problem of sectarianism, disunity and division is the greatest challenge Muslims have to deal with today, for them to live in peace and to progress.

Efforts of Da’awah would not be fruitful unless we forget their differences, make Da’awah the center of our interests, cooperate with each other, and coordinate our work.

Muslims should be cautious of those Da’awah groups or sects which claim to be the only representative of true Islam and attribute disbelief to others. In many cases such groups neglect their duties in Da’awah and focus in opposing and eliminating others.

Evil Consequences of Division

1. Shielding Allah’s mercy and support.

2. Lose of power and strength.

3. Failure to achieve our goals.

4. Division substitutes love with hatred, trust with suspicion, and peace with conflict.

The first step in handling this serious problem is to be aware of its dangers and bad results, because division and disunity weaken our Ummah and open the doors to our enemies. Qur’an warned against division and disputes:

“And obey Allah and His Messenger; and fall not into disputes, lest you lose heart and your power depart from you; and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.” [Qur’an, 8:46]

We should realise that working toward unity of the Muslim groups is a collective duty upon all of us. We need to focus our efforts to purify ourselves and eliminate from our communities all those problems that cause division and disunity.

Muslim groups must work together to correct their faith, correct their aqidah, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), obey and respect their leaders, cooperate on good purposes in all fields. Then as a result of this, Allah (Exalted be He) will unite their hearts. Qur’an says:

“If you had spent all that is in the earth you could not have attuned their hearts, but Allah has attuned them.” [Qur’an, 8:63]

Here are some advises for those who are working in Da’awah to keep in the back of their minds:

1. Stick firm to the way of Allah and let nothing divide you, no matter how little it might seem.

2. Unity is one of the great blessings of Allah and disunity/divisions is a punishment from Allah.

3. Your unity must be your first priority.

4. Seek protection in your unity and work together under the spirit of one team.

5. Beware of those who want to divide you; do not give them a chance.

6. Your unity must be based on Islamic principles: faith, brotherhood, justice, and equality.

7. The purpose of your unity must be serving the interests of all people regardless of their colour, race and it must not be achieving some casual benefits for only a group of people.

Dear Brothers and Sisters! Know that the efforts of Da’awah groups would not be fruitful unless they forget their differences, make Da’awah the center of their interests, cooperate with each other, and coordinate their work. They should not forget that they are working for the same aim and under the same banner. They must all hold fast together to the way of Allah, not for gaining followers of this group or that, or achieving worldly interests. Qur’an says:

“And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah and let nothing divide you.” [Qur’an, 3:103]

However, working under the spirit of one team does not mean not to have any kind of disagreements and misunderstandings at all. The Companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) were in complete harmony with each other and were sincere brothers and sisters, but in spite of this, they had disagreements concerning different matters of the branches of faith.

However, disagreements must be avoided, under all circumstances, if they are related to the fundamentals of the religion, work against the interests of Muslims, or may lead to disputes, conflict, and disunity among Muslims.

Respected Brothers and Sisters! I ask Allah to assist us in living by the Qur’an and Sunnah. I pray He lets us recognise the truth for what it is and helps us to follow it, and that He lets us see falsehood for what it is and helps us to avoid it.

O Allah! Guide us and protect us from the causes of ignorance and destruction! Save us from the defects of ourselves! Cause the last of our deeds to be the best and most righteous! And forgive all of us.

Dear Brothers and Sisters! Anything good I have said in my today’s Sermon is from Allah the Almighty, and any mistakes are my own and we seek refuge in Allah from giving wrong advice and from all forms of calamities and fitnah. And I ask Allah’s forgiveness if I stepped beyond bounds in anything I said or I do.

May Allah be praised; and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

With this I conclude my Sermon and ask Allah, the Almighty and the Sublime, to forgive all of our sins. So seek his forgiveness, He is all forgiving and Most Merciful.